When the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to bolster their pitching staff, they opted to hold onto their top prospects and acquired two pitchers on waivers.

The first was trading for Roberto Hernandez, which was followed two days later by Kevin Correia returning to the NL West. Correia held a 5-13 record and 4.94 ERA when he was traded to the Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Correia was immediately slotted into the starting rotation as the Dodgers were dealing with injuries to Josh Beckett and Paul Maholm. Like Hernandez, Correia was impressive in his Dodger debut and he won his first two starts with his new team.

Correia made one more start before he was sent to the bullpen as the Dodgers’ staff regained better health. The right-hander struggled in his role as a reliever and was subsequently left off the Dodgers’ NLDS roster.

2014 Highlight

Correia’s first start as a Dodger came Aug. 11 at Turner Field. The Dodgers were in the midst of a nine-game road trip and needed their new pitcher to turn in a strong outing. Correia did just as he threw six innings and held the Braves to one run.

The Braves managed to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth, which held up until the Dodgers scored three runs in the sixth and they went on to win the game, 6-2.

2015 Outlook

Correia will be a free agent this winter and while the Dodgers need a fifth starter with Beckett’s retirement, it’s unlikely Correia will return to the team. Between he and Hernandez, it was Correia who was sent to the bullpen.

Given the Dodgers’ bullpen depth, Correia isn’t needed in that capacity and his record as a starting pitcher isn’t particularly encouraging.

About The Author

Matt is a journalist from Whittier, California. A Cal State Long Beach graduate, Matthew occasionally contributes to Lakers Nation, and previously served as the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Football. You can follow Matt on Twitter @mmoreno1015